Overview

Instead of images establishing and unnecessarily holding connections to
tape drive units (and excluding other images from using those tapes),
Automated Tape Allocation Manager patrols the use of tape drives making
certain that any idle tape units are available to new incoming requests
from jobs and end users.

Extensive reporting on tape drive usage supports capacity analysis. The
result is higher throughput to and from tape, a more efficient storage
environment, less administrative overhead, and better returns on tape
hardware investments.

Key Prerequisites

Automated Tape Allocation Manager can be used on any supported release of
z/OS or OS/390®. When used with 3480 tape drives, it requires
Model G or later drives.

Planned Availability Date

February 22, 2002

Description

Contention for tape resources in mission-critical dataplexes can create
problems for businesses:

Long wait times for application or process execution, and delay of
related business processes

Pressure to purchase costly excess tape unit capacity, without a full
understanding of how it will be used

Longer ROI on hardware investments

Automated Tape Allocation Manager is a z/OS storage solution that
directly addresses these problems by managing tape storage availability
for optimal usage, 24 x 7 across multiple images, and by
logging and reporting tape demand activity and the success rate of its
fulfillment.

Maximum Capacity Utilization

Tape sharing management ensures that tape resources do not sit idle
waiting for responses from data images, jobs, or users that have
allocated them for use but no longer have I/O to process. With
contention for tape resources issuing from potentially thousands of
simultaneous sources, recurring idle times of even a few seconds each can
result in significant accumulated waste, noticeable bottlenecks, and
premature addition of new hardware due to perceived ceilings in capacity
that may not yet have been reached.

Manual detection and intervention in such situations is labor intensive
and impractical, as operators will often be unable to respond to an idle
time "window" before it closes, or may simply be unavailable at all for
such tasks.

Automated Tape Allocation Manager solves these problems by responding to
actual user and job requests for tape resources and varies offline those
units that may be allocated but not in actual use. Response is nearly
instantaneous, and eliminates the need for any operator intervention.

Designed to fit any z/OS, OS/390, or MVS environment, Automated Tape
Allocation Manager can be tuned and configured to respond to your
changing work loads and priorities, and these configurations can be
changed dynamically without any downtime in the product's operation
through the easy-to-use ISPF panel interface and accompanying online
help.

Simplified Strategy for Performance and Reliability

Available software solutions for tape sharing management typically follow
the strategy of continually updating a control file that records tape
drive status, and then taking action based on what can be read from that
control file. However, this approach requires successful communication
(through CTC or other methods) between the control file and multiple
dataplexes and their respective UCBs before corrective action can be
taken. This presents issues in installation, administration, and
performance management. Potential vulnerabilities also arise since every
instance of managed tape allocation for the enterprise is made dependent
upon the integrity of a single control file which may have no special
protections and the function of which may be poorly understood by
operators.

Automated Tape Allocation Manager instead takes a more hardware-centric
approach through a started task that  at set intervals or in response
to actual user and job requests  issues commands to vary offline each
successive tape drive unit placed under its management by the operator.

Tape drives that are in actual use elsewhere will not vary offline, and
those allocated but not in use will vary offline immediately, making the
next job or user request for them successful. Tape availability is
maximized without resorting to prior knowledge of a tape resource's
status, complex communication across dataplexes and subsystems, or
centralized control files.

Automated Tape Allocation Manager operational parameters are easily
adjusted by the operator and can be changed dynamically, leaving
enterprise tape management uninterrupted. Management parameters (such as
units to be managed in which dataplex, or frequency of polling) are
stored in a parameters file that is read by the tape management task at
startup, and these parameters persist within the started task independent
of the parameters file. Should the parameters file ever not be found at
startup, the restarted tape management task will assume the last known
issued parameters, assuring proper functioning in unexpected
circumstances.

At the same time, operators may use the Automated Tape Allocation Manager
reporting facility to view the current or historical status of any tape
drive, and analyze these reports to better plan capacity. Through the
Automated Tape Allocation Manager report facility, management of current
or future hardware ROI is made far easier.

Available reports include:

All recorded tape unit activity

Tape activity by job and step

Usage by tape unit

Records of failed automatic allocations

Importantly, report detail allows you to assess if, when, and how often
jobs must wait for a drive, respond quickly to end user needs, and
alleviate bottlenecks by configuring Automated Tape Allocation Manager to
better balance jobs against tape resources.

The current status of any drive is also instantly available, assisting
with real-time decision making.

With this level of detail and capacity for quick response, administrators
achieve much higher confidence in investment decisions should the need
for new hardware ever arrive.

Euro Currency

This program is not impacted by euro currency.

Value Unit Based Pricing

Value Unit based pricing will help to align the prices of these Products
to the principle of the PSLC pricing curve which provides for a lower
price per millions of service units per hour (MSU) for larger capacities.

There is also be a price benefit when customers grow their capacity.
Additional capacity will based on the number of Value Units (MSUs) the
customer has already installed, that is, additional capacity will not be
priced starting at the base with a higher price per unit but on the
capacity that is already installed.

Note that Value Units of a given Product cannot be
exchanged/interchanged/aggregated with Value Units of another Product.

IPLA and Subscription and Support Considerations

IPLA licenses can be transferred from one machine to another within, but
not limited to an enterprise. The customer may aggregate the capacity
for all the processors the Product is operated on to achieve a more
economic price. This will result in a single Proof of Entitlement. It
is the customer's responsibility to manage the distribution of Value
Units within the limits of the Entitlement of the Product License.

Subscription and Support must cover the same capacity as the Product
License entitlement. Subscription & Support will be available in the
country in which the agreement is made.

Product Positioning

Automated Tape Allocation Manager will be of interest to any z/OS or
OS/390 customers who need to share and maximize availability of tape
drives across multiple images. Automated Tape Allocation competes with
third party vendor products such as Computer Associates Multi Image
Allocation product (CA MIM/MIA).

Trademarks

z/OS and MVS are trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

OS/390 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service
marks of others.

Offering Information

Product information is now available through Offering Information
(OITOOL) at:

When calculating the total number of Value Units the sum is to be rounded
up to the next integer.

Value Units for IBM 9672 Processors will be based upon the full capacity
of these Systems. This is applicable to all S/390® based Systems that
are measured on MSU capacity. Information on MSU capacities can be found
in the
IBM System/370, System/390® and zSeries Machine Exhibit
(Z125-3901).

Value Units for IBM zSeries will be based upon full MSU
capacity as defined in the Machine Exhibits

Value Units for non-MSU-based S/390 Processors: MP3000 Models

H30 = 6.00 Value Units

H50 = 8.00 Value Units

H70 = 12.00 Value Units

P/390, R/390, IBM 3006 = 2.00 Value Units

A tool is available that provides support for transforming the MSU based
capacities of S/390 Systems to new Value Units by calculating the
applicable number of Value Units for a given number of MSUs. The person
preparing for an order is required to use this tool to calculate the
number of Value Units, based upon the number of MSU (processor capacity).
CFSW expects Value Units as configuration input.

Value Units for IBM 9672 Processors will be based upon the full capacity
of these Systems. This is applicable to all S/390 based Systems that are
measured on MSU capacity. Information on MSU capacities can be found in
the IBM
System/370, System/390 and zSeries Machine Exhibit
(Z125-3901).

Value Units for zSeries will be based upon full MSU capacity as defined
in the Machine Exhibits .

There will be a tool available that provides support for transforming the
MSU based capacities of S/390 Systems to new Value Units by calculating
the applicable number of Value Units for a given number of MSUs.

Note:
For the actual translation from MSUs to Value Units for this product,
see below.

When calculating the total number of Value Units the sum is to be rounded
up to the next integer.

1 Value Unit  Feature 0001

250 Value Units  Feature 0002

Example: For a product running on machines with 1000 MSUs requiring 270
Value Units, would order feature number 0001, quantity 20 and feature
number 0002, quantity 1.

Note:
For actual feature numbers, refer to below.

Value Units for non MSU based S/390 Processors:

MP3000 Models

H30 = 6.00 Value Units

H50 = 8.00 Value Units

H70 = 12.00 Value Units

P/390, R/390, IBM 3006 = 2.00 Value Units

Basic License:
To order, specify the program number, feature number 9001 for asset
registration, and the OTC feature number. Also specify the feature
number of the desired distribution medium. To suppress shipment of
media, select the License-only option in CFSW.

ASC(2) Medium
Support for Program Feature Feature
Program Name Number Number Number Medium
Automated Tape 5697-H66 6655 Paper
Allocation Manager
One Value Unit 0001
250 Value Units 0002
Decline Subscription 0003
and Support

To receive voice technical support via telephone during normal business
hours, and future releases and versions at no additional charge,
subscription and support must be ordered. The capacity of Subscription &
Support (Value Units) must be the same as the capacity ordered for the
Product Licenses.

To order, specify the support program number and feature number 9001 for
asset registration. IBM is also providing subscription and support for
these products via a separately purchased offering under the terms of
the IBM International Agreement for Acquisition of Support (IAAS). This
Offering:

Includes and extends the support services provided in the base support
to include technical support via telephone during normal business hours.

Entitles customers to future releases and versions at no additional
charge as. Note that customer is not entitled for new products.

Once subscription and support is ordered, the charges will renew
automatically annually unless cancelled by the customer.

Terms and Conditions

Sub-Capacity Charges Terms and Conditions:
zSeries software charges at less than full machine capacity for
eligible Data Management and Application Development Tools apply when
z/OS is running in z/Architecture (64 bit) mode on an IBM e(logo)server
zSeries 900, no other MVS-based operating system is licensed to that
server and the required information is provided by the customer in
accordance with the applicable terms.

Sub-capacity charges for an eligible AD or DM Tool is based on the z/OS
product defined capacity. To obtain charges at less than full machine
capacity for eligible AD and DM tools, the customer is required to:

Determine the MSUs needed for each machine on which the Tools will run.
Only machines on which the customer has implemented sub-capacity WLC
according to the above terms and conditions, are eligible for charges at
less than full machine capacity for the Tools.

Use the product defined capacity for z/OS (as specified on the
Sub-Capacity Reports submitted to IBM for sub-capacity WLC) as the
sub-capacity(MSUs)for each Tool.

Submit any additional MSUs and/or Value Units required for each product
along with the current entitlement in Value Units for each Product.

Sub-Capacity Charges for AD and DM Tools:
To be eligible for sub-capacity charges for AD and DM Tools, the
Machine on which the AD and DM Tools are running must be eligible for WLC
sub-capacity charges terms and conditions. The customer must have signed
the
Attachment for zSeries Workload License Charges-Pre-ILM
, (Z125-6516), and submitted at least one Sub-Capacity Report to IBM as
defined in the attachment.

With sub-capacity charges, the charge for an eligible AD or DM Tool is
based on the z/OS product defined capacity. To obtain charges at less
than full machine capacity for each eligible AD and DM Tool for each
machine, the customer should:

Determine the MSUs needed for the machine on which the Tools will run.
In a data sharing environment, determine the aggregate MSUs needed on the
machine where the tools run. Use the product defined capacity (MSUs) for
z/OS (as specified on the Sub-Capacity Reports submitted to IBM for
sub-capacity WLC) as the sub-capacity (MSUs) for each Tool.

Submit any additional MSUs and/or Value Units required for each product
along with the current entitlement in Value Units for each product.

If the use of sub-capacity pricing terms for AD and DM Tools results in a
reduced requirement for Value Units, thus "freeing up" entitlements,
customers can reallocate the entitlement difference by distributing the
Value Units across a larger or different set of systems, or reserve them
for future growth. There will be no refunds for these "freed up" Value
Units. Subscription and Support volumes and entitlements for existing
contracts will continue to be at the same levels as the acquired
licenses.

Management of the Value Unit entitlements continues to be a customer
responsibility. If one of the following occur on a machine to which AD
or DM Tools are licensed, the customer must determine if additional Value
Units and Subscription and Support need to be ordered for those Tools to
cover the increase:

The z/OS defined capacity is increased.

The requirements for WLC sub-capacity charges are no longer met.

Licensing:
IBM IPLA PoE are required for all authorized use. Part number
products only, offered outside of Passport Advantage, where applicable,
are license only and do not include Software Maintenance.

The following agreements apply for maintenance and do not require
customer signatures:

IBM Agreement for Acquisition of Support (Z125-6011)

These products are licensed under the IPLA, and the associated Agreement
for Acquisition of Support, and the Addendum for Support (Z125-6435)
which provides for support with ongoing access to releases and versions
of the program. These programs have a one-time license charge for use of
the program and an ongoing recurring charge for the enhanced support that
includes telephone assistance (voice support for defects during normal
business hours) as well as access to updates, releases, and versions of
the program as long as support is in effect. S/390 and zSeries IBM
Operational Support Services  Support Line is an option for those
customers who desire added services.

Limited Warranty Applies:
Yes

Program Services:
Available until: March 31, 2005

Money-Back Guarantee:
30-day, money-back guarantee, applicable to the first instance per
customer enterprise. The money-back guarantee will commence on the
Invoice Date.

Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer:
No

Volume Orders (IVO):
No

Passport Advantage Applies:
No

Software Maintenance Applies:
For Operating System software, the revised IBM Operational Support
Services  Support Line offering will provide support for those
operating systems and associated products that are not available with the
newly announced Software Maintenance offering. This will ensure total
support coverage for your enterprise needs, including IBM and selected
non-IBM products. For complete lists of products supported under both
the current and revised Support Line offering, refer to our Web site at:

Prices

The prices provided in this announcement are suggested retail prices for
the U.S. only and are provided for your information only. Dealer prices
may vary, and prices may also vary by country. Prices are subject to
change without notice. For additional information and current prices,
contact your local IBM representative.

Customer Financing:
IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing to credit-qualified
commercial and government customers and Business Partners in more than 40
countries. IBM Global Financing is provided by the IBM Credit
Corporation in the United States. Offerings, rates, terms, and
availability may vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global
Financing organization. Country organizations are listed on the Web at: